League City plans to honor top female leaders

The League City Regional Chamber of Commerce is preparing for this yearâs Athena Leadership Awards, which honor outstanding female leaders who live in the Houston region.

The League City Regional Chamber of Commerce is preparing for this yearâs Athena Leadership Awards, which honor outstanding female leaders who live in the Houston region.

Photo: pavel Chernobrivets - Fotolia

League City plans to honor top female leaders

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The League City Regional Chamber of Commerce is preparing for this year's Athena Leadership Awards.

On Friday, May 11, the chamber will recognize an exemplary female leader who lives in the Greater Houston Area and is known for her community contributions. The event will be held at the Lakewood Yacht Club.

Athena International is a woman-founded and governed organization that honors female leaders noted for their community contributions and empowerment of other women. More than 500 cities in America have hosted Athena Award Programs, in addition to six which were held outside the U.S. Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, the Athena Leadership Awards have been hosted by the chamber for the past five years.

"We are proud to sponsor an event like the Athena leadership awards," said Steve Paterson, president and CEO of the chamber. "It gives us an opportunity to recognize women in our region who demonstrate business leadership, philanthropic leadership, and entrepreneurship, and are providing support for other aspiring women in business and in these other sectors. Through this recognition program, we are able to bring a stronger presence to the community on the critically important role women play in today's world. Media coverage in the past couple of years has helped greatly."

The 2017 recipient, Amy Killgore, serves as a drug education and prevention specialist for Clear Creek Independent School District.

"Women are nominated by the membership of the Chamber of Commerce," said Paterson. "We received 10 nominations last year. Each nomination is accompanied by an essay explaining why the person being nominated is worthy of being bestowed the Athena Leadership Award. The nominations and essays are forwarded to Athena International for review and judging. The committee at ATHENA selects the awardee."

Notable women who have received Athena International's Global Award include American political scientist and diplomat Condoleezza Rice, founder of the USA Network Kay Koplovitz and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The League City award will highlight a local woman who typifies the idealistic principles of the Athean Program, described as living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. They also are "fierce advocates for what they believe and committed to enriching their communities."

During the May 11 event, attendees will enjoy a luncheon, guest speakers, networking opportunities and a special program honoring nominees.

This event is just one of the ways that The League City Regional Chamber works to support local businesses, professionals and leaders, as well as facilitate community interaction and networking.

"We strive to provide training programs and membership benefits for all members of the Chamber of Commerce," said Paterson. "By providing programs and working committees, which encourage networking and relationship building with other women of like interests and position, we hope to encourage mentoring among women in business. Although many companies provide internal leadership and mentoring programs for women in business, there are very few in the general business space, and that holds true for our region of Houston," said Paterson.

"Because of this void the League City Regional chamber of commerce is looking to launch the ATHENA NextGen program later this year. This is a curriculum-based leadership and mentoring program, structured on the eight principles of the ATHENA organization, are designed to give women the leadership skills they need in today's business world. We are excited about being able to offer this program as a first here in Texas."

Tickets are $55 and tables are available from $650 to $800.

The Lakewood Yacht Club is at 2322 Lakewood Yacht Club Drive. At the May 11 event, a VIP champagne reception and spotlight tables will be from 11-11:30 a.m. with luncheon and award ceremony from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.